Massachusetts lottery winner had no idea a clerk stole a $3 million bill
Two Massachusetts store clerks have been charged with conspiring to steal a $3 million lottery ticket from a man who didn't know he had won.
Carly Nunes, 23, of Lakeville, Mass., was indicted last week by a Plymouth County grand jury on charges of theft, making false statements and witness intimidation, according to a media release from the District Attorney's Office.
Her co-worker, Joseph Reddem, 32, of Manchester, N.H., who wanted a share of the winnings, was charged with one count of extortion.
Tickets still in the box
In January 2023, the unnamed actual winner walked into a store formerly known as Savas Liquors in Lakeville and purchased a bag of BBQ potato chips, two Massachusetts Lottery Quick Selection Mega Millions tickets and two Mass Cash Lottery, according to prosecutors.
It turned out that the taste of the potato chips had nothing to do with the case. But state police and lottery commission investigators are determined to leave no stone unturned.
The more critical detail is that the customer left the lottery ticket in the cashier tray and was subsequently fished out by Nunez, who was working at the cashier.
The victim later told investigators that when he returned home, he briefly searched for his tickets without success and did not think about the matter further.
Later that night, he unknowingly hit the jackpot.
Arouse Suspicion
Two days later, Redham drove Nunez and her boyfriend to the Massachusetts Lottery headquarters in Dorchester to collect their winnings. Police found the ticket burned and partially torn.
They then heard Redham arguing with Nunez in the lobby. Reddem allegedly demanded half of the winnings. Police heard Nunes respond that she would only pay him $200,000.
When suspicions were raised, they interviewed Nunez. She claimed she bought the ticket after hours at the store and accidentally tore it while taking it out of her wallet. She added that the burn marks were caused by her accidentally placing the ticket on the tube. Officials asked state police to investigate.
Investigators reviewed Savas Liquor Company security video and determined that the unnamed man, not Nunes, purchased the ticket.
They then identified the customer by posting fliers with screenshots of surveillance video, visiting the Lakeville area and interviewing customers to learn the man's identity.
It took nearly a month to find him, and the confused man was told he had been robbed of $3 million and didn't know it.
Nunez and Rededham will be arraigned on the charges at a later date.
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Source: www.casino.org
